Wind-shield for vehicles.



G. O. DOAN.

WIND SHIELD FOR VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9, 1910.

Patented N0v.29, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

C. O. DOAN.

WIND SHIELD POE VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9, 1910.

PatentedNov. 29, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

o J nunnn u rllllllvllll E N w l in i m1 Q l l ffcieey .prove shields of this type.

CHARLES O. DOAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

WIND-SHIELD non VEHICLES.

Application filed May 9, 1910.

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, CHARLES O. DOAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in VVind-Shields for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved type of wind shield specially adapted for use on automobiles where a folding shield is desired. At the present time considerable difliculty is experienced in keeping such shields clean and clear, especially in times of stormy weather. At such times the ordinary shield becomes covered so that it is almost impossible to see clearly through the same, and inconvenience and annoyance result to the driver, and serious accidents have followed his inability to clearly see ahead.

Objects of this invention are, to provide a shield which in times of fair weather may be completely folded so that the vision will be unobstructed and so that the chauffeur will be properly protected from the wind, but to provide a shield which in stormy Weather may be thrown into a position which will amply protect the driver from the elements while at the same time not cutting off his proper line of vision, and. also preventing the glass from being covered with dirt and moisture; also to provide a shield which may be folded up into a comparatively small space when its use is no longer desired, to so arrange the parts that the least amount of space will be necessary during the folding process that is to say, so that the parts may fold together in the least possible radius,and in other ways and manners to provide a shield which shall perform all of the functions necessary to its satisfactory use and to generally im- Other objects and uses will appear from a detailed description of the invention, which consists in the features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings-Figure 1 is an end ele vation of the shield showing the same with its panels folded down in the position ordinarily used when wind protection is de sired in fair weather; Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of one side of the shield folded in the position of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the shield, the panels being ex- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 29, 1910.

Serial No. 560,190.

tended. into the position which they would occupy for use in stormy weather, the canvas cover being removed from the near end; Fig. 4 is a cross section taken through the body of the shield, the panels being in the position of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the shield with the panels folded down into the position they would occupy when not in use; Fig. 6 is a detail section of one portion of the shield showing the mechanism used for locking the main panels into vertical position, such as they would occupy when the shield was being used; and Fig. 7 is a detail end elevation of my improved type of hinge which enables the shield to be folded up in the least possible radius.

Referring to the figures, the shield comprises four panels, 8, 9, 10 and 11, each of which may comprise a suitable casing and pane of glass. The panel 8 is rigidly attached to the dashboard 12 in any suitable manner, preferably by means of bars 13 attached to the panel and to the dashboard. The engine housing is shown at 14, and rods or braces 15 may be connected to the upper portion of the panel 8 and to the forward portion (not shown) of the engine housing, for further bracing the panel 8. The panel 9 is hinged to the upper portion of the panel 8 so that when the former is raised into working position it will properly register with the latter, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4. The panel 10 is hinged in its upper portion to the upper portion of panel 9, so that the former may be swung out into any desired position, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The panel 11 is suitably attached to the panel 8, so that the former may be swung out both in its upper and lower portions any desired amount, in the manner shown likewise in Figs. 3 and 4. The mechanisms which enable these panels to be properly swung will be described in the latter portion of this specification.

It will be understood that when the panels are all thrown into the position of Fig. 1 their frames will so register and aline that the driver of the car will have a clear line of vision through two plates of glass at the proper level to permit easy operation of the car, and so that the frames will not cut off his vision in any way.

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 4, T will de scribe the manner in which my improved shield acts to keep the panels clear from dirt or moisture in bad Weather. When the panel 10 has been thrown into extended position, flaps 16 and 17 of canvas or other suitable material (16 not being shown) may be carried down over the ends of the panel 10 and attached to the ends of the panel 9 so as to keep the sleet or rain oft of the panel 10 and the upper portion of the panel 8. By moving the panel 11 out into the eX tended position a space 18 will be opened between its lower portion and the lower portion of panel 8, so that air currents may pass down in the manner shown by the arrow, such currents entering between the lower portion 19 of panel 10 and the upper portion 20 of panel 11. These air currents will carry down any sleet, snow or rain which might enter between the edges 19 and 20 and will draw oil the same through the space 18, so that it will not be thrown against panel 8 and deposited on the same. In other words, I prevent these elements from being thrown against panels 8 and 9 by providing a proper air current to direct them away from said panels and to carry them off near the bottom portion of the shield. It is seen that notwithstanding the fact that vision through panel 10 would in this case be partially cut ott' because of the sleet or rain, still there will be sufiicient space between the edges 19 and 20 to afford an ample range of vision for the driver of the car.

I will now describe the mechanisms used to facilitate throwing the panels into their several positions for accomplishing the results desired.

Panel 11 is provided with an arm 21, suitably hinged to its upper portion at 22 and provided with a slot 23. This slot engages With a button or thumb-screw 24 on panel 8, in such a way that the upper portion of panel 11 may be locked into any position desired. In like manner a slotted arm 25 is provided, so that by means of buttons or thumb-screws 26 and 27 the lower portion of panel 11 may be suitably positioned. In order to properly carry the weight of panel 11, I provide a plurality of brackets 28, secured to the front portion of the dashboard. It will be understood that these brackets are of a size and shape such that "they in nowise interfere with the air currents previously described.

Panel 9 is hinged to panel 8 in the following manner: A double hinge 29 is provided, which comprises plates 30 and 31 for attachment, respectively, to panels 8 and 9, these plates being pivoted to a link 32. When it is desired to fold down the panel 9, the latter may first be rotated about the center 33 and finally about the center 34 until the panel is in the extreme lowered position shown in Fig. 5. By the use of this double hinge, greater flexibility of movement is obtained, so that the upper edge of panel 9 may be prevented from striking the steering handle or other objects. It will be understood that the exact size of each part of this double hinge may be adjusted to suit any requirements so that a large diversity of conditions may be met in its use.

In order to rigidly hold panel 9 in extended position with respect to panel 8, I prefer to use the following construction: A bar 35, Fig. 6, is suitably pivoted to the frame of panel 8, as by means of a stud 3G sunk into the frame of the latter, or in any way rigidly attached to it. This bar 35 is provided *ith a plurality of sockets 37, 30 and 39, each of which carries a locking pin 4L0 which may enter into a recess in one or the other panel. Each locking pin stO is provided with a collar ll against which abuts a spring T he other end 0t each spring abuts against the top wall 4.3 of the socket, so that said spring will tend to keep the pin in extended position and thus hold the same securely in the panel hole. Each pin may be further provided with a lug 44-, adapted to pass through a slot in the end 48, so that when the pin has been thrown into extended position it may be rotated by the handle 45 in such a manner that the lug 13 will not register with the slot and thus the pin will be locked in extended position. When the lug has again been rotated into registry with the slot, the pin may be withdrawn against the compression of the spring until the lug is outside of the end then the pin may be again rotated and thus locked in withdrawn position.

It is seen that the provision of two points of support in each panel-that is, the stud 36 and a pin in panel 8 and two pins in panel 9will hold these panels rigidly, so that panel 9 cannot rotate with respect to panel 8. Also the bar 35 is held by means of a nut L6, so that it cannot fall away from panel 8.

In order to support panel 10 in any desired extended position, it. make use of an arm 417, suitably pivoted to panel 8 and provided with a slot 48 of such shape that panel 10 may be thrown into the desired position and locked, as by means of a thumb-screw 49. The preferred form of construction is one in which the slot 48 is drawn on a radius from the point about which panel 10 rotates. In this case the arm 17 will not have to move at any time during the adjustment of panel 10, and thus said adjustment may be made with the least amount 01 trouble. Also the pin in socket 38 may pass through a hole in the end portion 50 of the arm 47, and it is not necessary to provide a slot in which the aforesaid pin may move. The end portion 50 is also provided with a hole ada ited to receive an enlar ed nortion 51 on the stud 36, the function of which will now be explained.

When the panel 10 has been thrown down against panel 9, as it would be for ordinary use in fair weather, it is desirable that the arms 47 should not project out in front of the wind shield. When panel 10 has been thrown down against panel 9, after loosening the thumb-screw 49, the pins of sockets 87 and 38 may be temporarily withdrawn so as to clear the end 50 of the arm 457, which arm may thereupon be rotated up into a position such as that shown in Fig. 1. Thereupon a hole 53 in the arm 47 will register with the pin of socket 38 and a hole will register with the pin of socket 3?. which pins may thereafter be dropped back through the holes 53 and 53 into locking engagement with the holes in panel 9. In order to securely hold the upper end of the arm 47 when it has been thrown into upper position, I prefer to provide a thumb-screw 54 near the upper end of panel 9, so located that it may be passed through the slot 48. In like manner it is desirable to be able to throw the arm 21. down in such position as to be out of the way when panel 11 has been thrown up against panel 8. To this end, the inner end 54* of the slot 23 may be of proper curvature so that said arm 21 may be thrown down into the position shown in Fig. l without the necessity of completely removing the thumb-screw 24. For a like reason the arm 25 is preferably not pivoted to the lower end of panel 11, but is attached to the same by means of the thumb-screw 27. In this case the lower end of said panel may be brought up against panel 8, either by loosen ing thumb-screw 26 or thumb-screw 27, so that the end of the arm 25 will project out either forward or backward of the wind shield.

I will now describe the manner in which the upper panels 9 and 10 may be thrown over against panel 8 in the manner shown in Fig. 5, so that the shield as a whole will occupy the least possible space.

"When panel 10 has been thrown against panel 9, in the manner of Fig. 1, the pins of sockets 37, 38 and 39 may be withdrawn, thereby allowing panel 9 to be swung backwardly about the hinge 29 in the manner heretofore described. In order to permit these panels to be swung in this manner, it is necessary to disengage the thumb-screw 54 from the slot 48 of arm 4:7. This may be done by completely withdrawing the thumbscrew or allowing it to pass out endwise of the slot. In the construction shown, pro vision is made for allowing the pin to pass out endwise from the slot in the following manner: The outer end of the arm 47 is bridged by a connection across the slot in such a way that the thumb-screw 54 may pass beneath this bridge. This provides a construction in which the two end portions of the arm are firmly held together and thus not liable to become bent, and at the same time permits the thumb-screw to pass out through the end of the slot. In order, then, to throw the panels 9 and 10 down against the panel 8, it is only necessary to loosen the thumb-screws 49 and 54C after the pins of sockets 37, 3t and 39 have been withdrawn.

After the wind shield has been collapsed in the above described manner into the position shown in Fig. 5, the thumb-screw 49 may be tightened, thus securely holding the outer end of panel 10 against rotation.

The arm 25 may also be provided with a bridge 56, similar to bridge so that this arm can he slid over the thumb-screw 54- when the panel 9 has been brought into contact with panel 8, as shown in Fig. Then, by tightening the thumb-screw 54, the outer ends of panels 9 and 10 will be held securely against panel 8. In other words, the arms 25 and 47 may be made to perform a double duty, viz: to space the panels 10 and 11 for use in stormy weather and to hold panels 9 and 10 securely down against panel 8 when the shield has been folded up in fair weather. In order to easily attach the canvas flaps 1G and 17 panel 19 may be provided with a plurality of buttons 57, and panel 9 may also be provided with a plurality of buttons 58.

In order to enable the pin of socket to fasten securely into the frame of panel 9, I prefer to provide a boss 59 on said frame which will reach out far enough to almost touch the lower surface of the bar In case it should be desirable at. any time to throw the panel it) completely over against the inside face of panel 9, I prefer to form the hinge 60 in the manner shown. This is a double hinge so attached to panels 9 and 10 that panel 19 may rest against either face of panel 9.

It will be understood that the exact shape and size of each panel may be that best suited to the requirements coming upon it, and that the various mechanisms used for spacing and holding the"panels may be designed in such manner as to hold the panels in such position that they will most efficientlycreate the desired air currents for preventing sleet or rain from obscuring the glass of panels 8 and 9.

1. In a ind shield the combination of a continuous vertical wind guard, an upper vertical panel extending diagonally downward and outward from the upper portion of the vertical wind guard and having its upper end in contact therewith, a lower deflecting panel extending diagonally upward and outward from the lower portion of the wind guard and having its lower end spaced away therefrom, and a closure extending from each end of the upper diagonal panel to the acent portion of the end of the vertical wind guard, substantially as described.

2. In a collapsible wind shield for vehicles, the combination of a lower vertical panel permanently secured to the vehicle frame, an upper vertical. panel hinged there to and adapted to rotate backwardly into contact therewith, means for securing the upper panel in vertical position, an upper diagonal panel hinged in its upper portion to the upper portion of the upper vertical panel and adapted to rotate into facial contact therewith, and a lower diagonal panel movably secured to the lower vertical panel and adapted to lie in facial contact there with, means for securing the upper vertical panel in contact with the lower vertical panel and the upper diagonal panel in facial contact with the upper vertical panel when the latter is in rotated position, and means for securing the lower diagonal panel in facial contact with the lower vertical panel, substantially as described.

3. In a collapsible wind shield for vehicles, the combination of a lower vertical panel permanently secured to the vehicle frame, an upper vertical panel hinged there to and adapted to rotate backwardly into contact therewith, an upper diagonal panel hing-ed in its upper portion to the upper portion of the upper vertical panel and adapted to rotate into facial contact there with, and a movable lower diagonal panel adjacent the lower vertical panel and adapted to lie in facial contact therewith, a slotted arm attached to the lower vertical panel and a thumb screw entered within the slot and engaging the lower portion of the upper diagonal panel for securing the same in angular position with respect to the upper vertical panel, and for securing the upper vertical panel in contact with the lower vertical panel and the upper diagonal panel in facial contact with the upper vertical panel when the same has been rotated into contact with the lower vertical panel, a slotted arm attached to the upper portion of one of the lower panels and a thumb screw entered through the slot and engaging the other lower panel to secure the lower diagonal panel in fixed position relative to the lower vertical panel, substantially as described.

4-. ln a collapsible wind shield for vehicles, the combination of a lower vertical panel permanently secured to the vehicle frame and having thumb screw holes in its upper and lower portions, an upper vertical panel hinged thereto and adapted to rotate backwardly into contact therewith and having in its upper portion a screw threaded hole, means for securing the upper panel in vertical position, an upper diagonal panel hinged in its upper portion to the upper portion of the upper vertical panel and adapted to rotate into facial contact therewith, and having a screw threaded hole in its lower portion, a slotted arm pivoted to the upper portion of the lower vertical panel, and a screw enter d through the slot and engaging the hole in the upper diagonal panel for holding the same in angular position with respect to the upper vertical panel when the same is in vertical position and for holding the upper diagonal panel in facial contact with the upper vertical panel when the same is rotated backwardly into contact with the lower vertical panel, a lower diagonal panel having a screw threaded hole in its lower portion, slotted arm pivoted to the upper portion of the lower diagonal panel and a screw threaded through the slot thereof and engaging the hole in the upper portion of the lower vcrtical panel for holding the diagonal panel in fixed angular relation to the vertical panel, and a slotted arm anc. a screw entered through the slot thereof and engaging the hole in the lower portion of the lower diagonal panel and another screw entered through said slot and engaging the hole in the lower portion of the lower vertical panel for maintaining the lower end of the lower diagonal panel in fixed position with respect to the lower vertical panel, and entered through said slot and engaging the hole in the upper end of the upper vertical panel for holding the same in contact with the lower vertical panel when it has been rotated baokwardly into such position, substantially as described,

5. In a collapsible wind shield for vehicles, the combination, with a lower vertical' panel rigidly secured to the vehicle frame, an upper vertical panel hinged thereto and adapted to rotate backwardly into contact therewith, and an upper adjustable panel hinged in its upper portion to the upper portion of the upper vertical panel, of a pin rigidly secured to one side of the lower vertical panel, an arm pivoted on the same and provided with a slot, a pin passed through the slot into the adjustable panel, for maintaining the same in fixed position with respect tothe vertical panels, a bar on the pivotal pin, a pin passed through the bar into the lower vertical panel, and two pins passed through the bar into the upper vertical panel, for maintaining the same in upright position, substantially as described.

CHARLES O. DOAN.

Witnesses Tnos. A. BANNING, J11, EPHRADI BANKING. 

